Different tea varieties brew better in temperature appropriate water. Green and white tea leaves are more delicate than black tea leaves or herbals, and hence require water that is at a lower temperature to brew properly. Boiling water may be fine for herbals that are dense and need all that heat to draw out the important essences from the plant. Boiling water, however, will scorch green tea resulting in a very bitter cup, loosing its subtle finesse.

So how to know when your water is at the right temperature for your loose tea?

A water heater/dispenser that keeps water at a preset temperature is a luxury to have, and a no fuss way to get your tea brewed to perfection. This is what we use in our shop on the Tea Bar.

An electric kettle that has an automatic shut off is a super easy way to get your water hot in a hurry. This is what I use at home for my personal tea brewing. Since mine does not have a temperature control setting, I know my kettle well and pay attention to the sounds it makes. As it’s heating up, it makes a lot of noise and rustling. When the water is not quite hot enough to boil but getting close, it gets very quiet all of a sudden settling down before the roar. That’s when I pull it off the base. I let it sit for a minute to cool before brewing my jasmine green tea. If I’m brewing a black tea, it’s good to go right away.

Like the old fashioned method of using a stove top whistle kettle? Simply listen to it as it heats up, and you’ll get to know the point in its cycle that’s the right temp. If it happens to boil, no sweat, just set it off to the side for a few minutes to cool down before pouring.

And for a special treat, try using a glass kettle! This one you observe as the water heats up. Watch for the “fish eyes” on the bottom. That’s the temp for green tea. As those fish eyes start to break loose and lift from the bottom, take the kettle off and steep your black tea.

If all else fails and your kettle boils whilst you're not watching (as often happens), don't fret! You can still get a good cuppa without having to restart your entire brewing process. Simply take the kettle off the heat and let cool before pouring into your cup; 1-2 minutes for a black tea, rooibos, or dark oolong, 3-5 minutes for green, white, or light oolong teas.

We have a Tea Brewing Guide for use with your teas. Remember that these are simply guidelines. The instructions listed need to be adjusted according to your tastes… as well as your time and equipment.  How do you prepare your water for making tea?

Many people insist on buying a box of tea bags rather than spend the time picking out a gourmet loose tea to enjoy. “I just want something quick”; “I’m too lazy to deal with loose leaf”; “I don’t have the time, give me a bag and I’m done”; “tea bags are so much more convenient”. When someone bucks at loose leaf, the point I try to get across is that brewing a fine loose leaf tea is as simple, or complex, as they wish it to be.

Some days making my tea is very ritualistic, taking care and time with each step, ceremoniously. I do have those days when I just need a quick cup to get me going and on the road. I also have different steeping methods I utilize whether I’m at home or at the shop. However, in any case, I stick with my loose tea rather than settle for less quality in a tea bag.

There are so many options now for steeping! Here are several very simple, quick methods to consider depending on your preference and budget.

At Discover Teas, we carry a selection of tins with pyramid pouches. Our pyramid sachets are just as easy as tea bags but have quality loose tea in them, provided with the room to expand and steep correctly. Next best thing to a tea bag.

Then there is our Do-It-Yourself filter pouches to spoon in your loose leaf; steep it the same you would as a tea bag and then discard. Super, super simple. These are biodegradable and compostable by the way.

One of my favorite products we carry is the Tuffy Steeper. Expands and collapses for ease of travel, fits onto most cups, mugs and small tea pots, easy to clean, hard to destroy…also comes in fun colors! I recommend these to everyone.

Our Bodum presses are another quick easy way to brew loose tea. Steep, press and pour… Or if you prefer, we have 16-oz travel presses, so you can even skip the pouring part of it!

If you can brew a pot of coffee or heat up water to steep a tea bag, you can make loose leaf tea no problem, with very little effort.